3/16/2026

Common Kestrel (Falco Tinnunculus)

High above the rolling hills, a majestic hunter hovers in the open sky. The clouds gather and shift around it, heavy with movement and uncertainty. But the bird does not waver. Its attention is fixed on a single point below.

It’s the signature move of the kestrel. They appear to hang motionlessly in the air, facing into the wind to generate lift while scanning the ground below for prey. It's a fascinating hunting technique that allows them to keep their heads perfectly still, even with turbulence all around. Watching this, I'm reminded of the Japanese Zen principle Seijaku, a state of active calm, where stillness is found not in absence of movement, but in the presence of intention.

Seijaku isn’t about escaping life’s storms. It’s about meeting them with clarity. The kestrel doesn’t resist the wind or argue with the sky. It simply accepts what is, and works within it . Its stillness is not passive; it’s disciplined, alert, alive.

Life moves in seasons, bright days, dark days, and everything in between. The question of life is never, “Will there be challenges?” The question is always, “How will I respond to the challenges when they come?” We don’t get to choose the weather. But we do get to choose our stance. When we cling to resistance, we exhaust ourselves fighting what we cannot control. But when we anchor ourselves in the present moment, we create the space to respond rather than react.

True calm isn’t found in perfect conditions. It’s found in the ability to hold steady when the sky grows heavy. Like the kestrel, we keep our eyes on the prize. Not by shutting out the storm, but by learning to hover within it.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

70 x 50 cm. (27.6" x 19.7")

Available - email: robert@nitiredjo.com